STEPHANIE DO
ABOUT ME
My name is Stephanie Do, and I am majoring in Information Science at the University of South Carolina. I will graduate in May 2019 with Leadership Distinction in Community Service. I chose the Community Service Pathway after reconnecting with Cocky’s Reading Express as a volunteer in 2017. Traveling across the state of South Carolina to Title I schools, with service-minded librarians and volunteers, showed me the diversity of the human experience. GLD further motivated me to complete over 500 hours of community service within two years, deepening my appreciation for a wide range of humanitarian aid. My volunteer activities varied, including efforts that pertain to sustainability, environmental stewardship, early childhood literacy, access to clean water, animal welfare, food insecurity, and disaster relief. Through GLD, community service activities served to address symptoms of social issues while honoring differences.
My past has compelled me to be flexible and open to new possibilities. Retaining a dynamic relationship with information allows me to build upon past practices and create new ways of understanding. For example, my knowledge of food poverty expanded after learning about food deserts, caused by poor infrastructure, in class and sorting through expired goods, evidence of waste, at the Harvest Hope Food Bank. The need to push boundaries is evident in all aspects of my life, as evidenced by activities such as SCUBA diving and rock climbing. I intend to apply to graduate programs to continue studying information science. Although I lack a career plan, I will allow future experiences to guide me towards a path that aligns my thirst for knowledge with my moral values.
This portfolio features three Key Insights that explore tailored user experiences in nonprofits, adaptability when managing volunteers, and the need to understand perception and overcome personal biases when serving. Each key insight reflects the value of flexibility in community service to identify, respect, and support differences and needs. The Leadership section will address the impersonal nature of many service activities and the lack of opportunities to develop connections. Included are potential solutions that will promote critical thinking, development of personal values, and a greater awareness of social issues when volunteering.
